Hegseth: "Death and destruction from the sky all day long. We're playing for keeps. Our warfighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly. Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it …… pic.twitter.com/L5hJ5uZSVw
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2026
Hegseth: “Death and destruction from the sky all day long. We’re playing for keeps. Our warfighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly. Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it … we are punching them while they are down”
Hit ’em where they hurt boys! Elementary schools! Nursing homes! Hospitals! No more woke rules of engagement!
Hegseth: "To our steadfast partner, Israel. Your mission is being executed with unmatched skill and iron determination. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with such a capable ally is a true force multiplier and a breath of fresh air." pic.twitter.com/SKv8Cz0UkI
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2026
He’s a cartoon.
Hegseth: "This is what the fake news misses. We've taken control of Iran's airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it's front page news. I get it — the press only wants to make the president look bad, but try… pic.twitter.com/vpW6z85ZPz
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2026
Hegseth: “This is what the fake news misses. We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front page news. I get it — the press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality”
Is this SNL?
Greg Sargent has the right idea:
Hegseth’s absurdities illustrate how big an opening Democrats really have here. It’s not enough to demand that officials be forthcoming and transparent. Democrats should argue that Trump has launched what is essentially a vanity war and nothing more—and that, as Smith put it to me, he’s “ruling like a king instead of the elected president of a constitutional republic.”
And his Defense Secretary is a laughingstock.